RHINELANDER, Wisc. (WJFW)—Wisconsin is facing a teacher shortage according to the Department of Public Instruction, and Rhinelander High School is inspiring students to consider a career in education.
Educators Rising is a club that focuses on students who would like to enter the field of education, whether it be as a teacher, principal, or even an athletic director.
“It gets them exposed to different roles and activities as an educator.” Said co-advisor and teacher, Melissa Hasselberger.
The club is integrated with an Introduction to Teaching course.
It allows juniors and seniors to experience what it is like to be in the field of teaching. Students go to different schools in the district and are given hands-on opportunities to work with students.
Hasselberger says that getting students exposed to a career interest sooner only benefits them.
“I tell the students; I didn’t get into the classroom setting and teach a lesson until my junior year of college.” Said Hasselberger. “These students are juniors and seniors in high school and getting that experience so they’re able to immerse themselves and see ‘is this the field I want to go into?’”
The club originally began with eight students in 2022. It has since grown into a larger program with 50 students interested in the education field.
Advisor, Meghan Retallick is overwhelmed with the progress the club has made in just a few years.
“It’s really really amazing to like get to see students from, some of them I’ve known since they were sixth graders and now, they’re in high school” Said Retallick. “And to watch their growth and to watch them grow into people that are going to go into the world and do good for others.”
And they’ve already been seeing results.
One of the club’s goals is to stay in touch with the students who move onto college and into their education degree programs.
“I saw one of our former club members is home from his college winter break and he’s subbing for a teaching assistant position in the middle school.” Said Retallick.
Educators Rising also hopes to retain its members and eventually see them come back to work for the School District of Rhinelander.
“I’m just waiting for the day, we’re getting close, that the first person we hire that I’ll actually get to be their colleague and coach them, having been their educators rising advisor or a teacher of theirs in their learning journey at Rhinelander.” Said Retallick.